As of Monday, April 5, all Florida residents 18 and over shall be eligible to receive any COVID-19 vaccine as prescribed by the Food and Drug Administration. The Pfizer vaccine is authorized for persons age 16 and up. The Moderna and Janssen (Johnson and Johnson) vaccines are authorized for persons age 18 and up. All individuals under the age of 18 receiving a vaccine must be accompanied by a guardian and complete the COVID-19 vaccine screening and consent form.

By advisory from the State Surgeon General and State Health Officer, Scott A. Rivkees, M.D., prior to providing the first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine to the intended recipient, every vaccine provider in Florida should ensure the recipient of the vaccine is either:

1. a resident of the State of Florida able to demonstrate residency consistent with the criteria set forth in § 381.986(5)(b), Fla Stat.; or
2. an individual present in Florida for the purpose of providing health care services involving direct contact with patients.

No; however, an appointment is mandatory. We do ask that those who receive their first dose of vaccine from us also be local/in county to receive their second dose from us 28 days later.

There is no cost to be vaccinated with the health department and insurance is not required.

DOH-Polk is scheduling vaccine appointments weekly at various locations across the county. There are no walk-in vaccine locations in Polk at this time. You will receive a testing location and time when you are called back by our staff to schedule your vaccine appointment.

No. Appointments are mandatory to receive a COVID-19 vaccine.

No. The vaccine takes a few weeks for antibodies to develop. A second dose of the vaccine will need to administered 28 days after the first as a booster. We encourage you to continue following healthy prevention measures after receiving the vaccine. This includes continuing to:

• Wash your hands
• Wear a mask in public
• Continue social distancing while out in public
• Cleaning and wiping down surfaces

Residents can continue monitoring the health department's website for updates regarding appointments. Here is a link: Florida Health - Polk County. Residents may also call our Polk County COVID-19 vaccine hotline at 863-298-7500 to check on availability.

Once your information is shared on our registration list, someone will be calling you back at a future date when appointments are available. Appointments are contingent on vaccine supply . We are unsure of our future schedule. If you have an opportunity to receive a vaccine before you are called for an appointment, please feel free to go ahead and get one.

Quantities of the vaccine are limited and are in great demand. Please be assured that we are making every effort to vaccinate residents as quickly as possible based on the quantities of vaccine that are provided by the State of Florida. As availability of the vaccine grows and demand evens out, it will be easier to ensure everyone who qualifies receives an appointment.

DOH-Polk expects new supplies of vaccine from the State weekly. Vaccination appointments will be available based on supply.

We are currently giving the Moderna vaccine.

The Moderna vaccine is a two-dose series separated by 28 days.

Your second appointment will be scheduled after you receive your first dose, before you leave the vaccination appointment. It is important to follow the instructions exactly as they are provided to you so that the vaccine administered in the follow-up appointment is the same kind as the initial dose, and to achieve maximum effectiveness of the vaccine.

This can be arranged at the time the appointment for the second dose is made (during the exit process). If you are not accompanying the person who is receiving the vaccine, please be sure he/she brings your contact information with them to the site, so this can be provided to the staff who will be arranging the follow-up appointment.

• Proof of residency of the State of Florida consistent with the criteria set forth in § 381.986(5)(b), Fla Stat.; or
• A photo ID with your name and date of birth (for example: Florida driver's license, state-issued ID, or passport)
• Proof of your appointment (printed copy or screenshot of the confirmation email or text message)
• Completed Moderna Consent form
• The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that people wear a mask that covers their nose and mouth when receiving any vaccine, including a COVID-19 vaccine. Anyone who has trouble breathing or is unable to remove a mask without assistance should not wear a mask.

Please reference this document on the Food and Drug Administration website.